Michael Maniago called Kamloops home during two season with the Blazers. KTW File Photo

Michael Maniago remembered as a quiet leader

On Friday night, 20-year-old Michael Maniago finished his day of work at World Pro Goaltending in Calgary.

He took his skates off, put them in his cubby-hole and said goodbye to his boss, Tyler Love, telling him about his plans to spend the night hanging out with his brother, Matt, and a few friends.

On Saturday, Love received the news that Maniago had died in the early hours of the morning.

“It was real hard when I first heard it,” Love told KTW.

“When he left, he was telling us about his plans for the weekend.”

Maniago was involved in a two-car accident at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

He was driving his Jetta, on a pizza run with his brother and two friends, when he was hit by a Toyota 4 Runner.

The goaltending school closed its doors Saturday after hearing the news. vLove said Maniago worked with goalies ages eight to 15.

“He definitely had a good response with everyone. He was a good teacher and had good skills,” Love said.

“He was a patient person. He just really enjoyed kids. He enjoyed talking with them and competing with them.

“He liked to give back. A lot of guys couldn’t handle going onto the ice for five to seven hours. He just really enjoyed it. He always had a smile on his face.”

Calgary Police Sgt. Doug McIlwriath said the investigation is continuing.

“Right now we have more questions than answers,” he said.

“As we go through the information and gather more details, then we’ll get a better idea of what happened.”

Shortly before stepping onto the ice in Spokane, Wash. Saturday, C.J. Stretch and the rest of the Kamloops Blazers heard the news.

Stretch was a rookie during Maniago’s second season in Kamloops in 2005-2006.

The two were students at NorKam secondary.

“He was a quiet leader. Everyone looked up to him. He was Devon Dubnyk’s back-up and it was hard for him to get into the lineup,” Stretch said. “When you got to know him, he was quite a funny guy.

“We found out right before the game. I played extra hard for him. It’s tough losing a Blazer because, once you are a Blazer, you are always a Blazer.”

Former Kamloops assistant coach Shane Zulyniak, who now works in the front office, was listening to the game broadcast when he heard the news.

“It was a big shocker. When you know someone on that kind of level, it’s kind of a shock. It takes a few days for the reality to set it,” Zulyniak said.

“He was a great kid. Everyone said he was genuinely great. He cared about his teammates.

“I just remember he was always smiling. It didn’t matter what had happened — even after a loss. If something went wrong with the game, he was always looking forward to get back to work and improve himself. His big warm smile was what everyone remembers about him.”

Jacalyn Fenske, a friend of Maniago’s, has been speaking for the Maniago family.

She said funeral plans are being set and will held on Saturday.

Maniago’s brother, Matt, who was injured with scalp lacerations, has been released from the hospital.

A Facebook page dedicated to Maniago has grown to include more than 700 people, including former teammates, students at World Pro Goaltending and strangers who watched him play.

Here is the official Calgary Police Department press release on the accident:

“On Saturday the 29 November 2008 at approximately 2:26 AM, a VW Jetta was southbound on Sun Valley Blvd SE. This vehicle was being driven by a 20 year old Calgary man and had three other occupants. A Toyota 4 Runner was being driven northbound on Chaparral Blvd SE by a 19-year-old female with three other occupants. At the intersection of Marquis of Lorne Tr. SE, the Toyota 4 Runner initiated a left turn. The VW Jetta was traveling straight through the intersection and was struck on the driver side causing severe damage to both vehicles.

The driver of the VW Jetta passed away at the scene. The three other passengers of this car were transported to hospital, one with serious injuries.

The driver of the Toyota 4 Runner was not injured; one male passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been released.

Alcohol was a factor in this collision.”